Not only the opening track on Bon Iver’s self-titled masterpiece but also the sun-soaked capital of Western Australia, Perth isn’t purely about stunning beaches and a thriving, forward-thinking arts scene. It also boasts a flourishing food culture that is both traditional and far-reaching, grounded but innovative.
With a whole host of dining options in Western Australia’s capital city, from casual bakeries masquerading as small plates wine bars masquerading as, erm, bakeries, all the way to high-end establishments on the highest of floors, Perth can be all things to all people and then some.
Of course, in a city of ever burgeoning culinary ambition, the paradox of choice grows stronger in tandem, and a little guidance is needed to ensure you’re making the very most of every single meal here. We are that guidance; here are the best restaurants in Perth, Australia.
Long Chim, CBD
Ideal for fiery, funky Thai flavours in a buzzy dining room…
For those with a penchant for the complex, exhilarating flavours of The Kingdom, Long Chim is a must-visit. Located in the heart of Perth’s CBD, this Thai eatery is the brainchild of renowned chef David Thompson, often called ‘the Godfather of Thai cooking’.
The menu is a tribute to the street food of Bangkok, with dishes that pack a punch in terms of spice, sure, but also in the myriad other ways Thai food can be so intricately seasoned, from fermented shrimp pastes and the ubiquitous fish sauce all the way to caramel-like palm sugar.
Don’t miss out on the sour orange prawn curry here, puckering and twisted from both lime and tamarind, and as invigorating as it comes. Pair it with something mellow, sweet and coconut-heavy – the minced prawn curry, say – as a counterpoint, and plenty of freshly steamed jasmine rice, and you’re onto a winner. Finish with a classic mango sticky rice for the ultimate indulgence.
With a buzzing, bustling dining room that seems to sprawl further than the Bangkok skyline, and an open kitchen where woks clatter and flames lick tall from the grill, Long Chim is the ideal spot for a casual yet lively dining experience.
We’ve featured David Thompson’s Aksorn on our list of the IDEAL 22 restaurants in Bangkok, by the way. This man certainly knows what he’s doing.
Address: Corner of Barrack street &, St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Website: longchimperth.com
Wildflower, CBD
Ideal for a celebration of Australia’s six seasons…
Just seconds from Long Chim (you’ve still got an appetite? Impressive!), and perched atop the COMO Treasury hotel, Wildflower is a fine dining establishment that showcases the best of Western Australia’s local produce without being overly stuffy or stiflingly formal.
The menu is inspired by the indigenous ethos of six seasons and changes with accordant frequency, offering a unique dining experience with each visit. Right now, Wild Flower is celebrating Djeran, the season of adulthood, with a six or eight course tasting menu (priced at $180 and $230 per person, respectively) that features dishes like crayfish from Pemberton paired with sandalwood nut and blood lime, and macadamia custard with mango, lemon aspen and Geraldton wax, a flowering plant endemic to Western Australia with distinctive citrus notes.
The dishes are artfully crafted, combining traditional techniques with modern flair and plenty of foraged ingredients, and a wine list that’s meticulously curated to complement the seasonal menu, leaning heavily on Western Australian wineries in the process. With sweeping views of the city, Wildflower is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of Western Australian culture and cuisine.
And the best part? Wild Flower is right in the mix, with East Perth accommodations like the popular Ibis Styles, the Wyndham and the COMO itself all within walking distance (the latter perhaps even crawling distance after such a big feast!).
Address: COMO The Treasury Level 4, 1 Cathedral Ave, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Website: wildflowerperth.com.au
Lulu La Delizia, Subiaco
Ideal for sublime seafood-heavy pasta dishes…
We can’t only dine in the Central Business District while exploring the best restaurants in Perth; there’s so much to discover a little out of the centre, too.
Tucked away in the charming suburb of Subiaco, Lulu La Delizia pays homage to the rich culinary traditions of Italy, with a particular focus on the delights of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region which borders Austria, Slovenia and the Adriatic Sea.
This laid back, intimate pasta bar, led by the passionate chef Joel Valvasori-Pereza, offers a menu that is both comforting and gently adventurous, with the fresh pasta dishes the obvious stars of the show, hand-rolled daily and served with sauces that burst with flavour.
The spaghettini with clams and broccoli is particularly good; a glorious marriage of briny and irony (horrible rhyme, that one) flavours. In fact, Lulu La Delizia has a wicked way with seafood across the board. The saffron cured kingfish is the perfect opener, and the squid-ink blackened bigoli with sweet chunks of king prawn a truly exemplary bowl of pasta.
The wine list is equally impressive, featuring Italian varietals that you won’t find anywhere else in Perth. Yep, this is one of our favourite places to eat in all of the city, make no mistake.
Address: 5/97 Rokeby Rd, Subiaco WA 6008, Australia
Website: lululadelizia.com.au
Nobu Perth, Burswood
Ideal for celebratory extravagance and that miso black cod…
Part of the extravagantly appointed Crown Perth complex, the Perth branch of Nobu does its Japanese-Peruvian cuisine with the usual style and aplomb. Under the all-seeing eye of the legendary chef Nobu Matsuhisa, the upscale restaurant serves up once-innovative but still delicious dishes that are both visually stunning and satisfying to eat. The signature miso black cod remains a crowd favourite after all these years, while the chicken anticucho skewers are caramelised and gnarly in all the right places.
Nobu’s sleek interior, open kitchen and panoramic views of the Swan River create an ambiance that is both sophisticated and welcoming, making the restaurant the ideal choice for a special occasion when celebrating in Perth.
Address: Crown Metropol Perth, Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood WA 6100, Australia
Website: noburestaurants.com
Bread In Common, Fremantle
Ideal for fresh, vegetable-led plates of perfection…
From the gaudy to the grounded… In the heart of Fremantle, Bread in Common is a rustic eatery that combines the simplicity of a bakery with the warmth of a neighbourhood restaurant. It’s a match made in heaven.
The wood-fired bread, baked on-site, is the foundation of the menu, which features a variety of dishes designed for sharing (and tearing). Seasonal ingredients are treated with real respect here, resulting in honest and flavourful food that’s bolstered by an impressive roster of house pickles, ferments and preserves.
The deceptively simple woodfired bread with lamb gravy for dipping is as good as it sounds, whilst a plate of house cured bresaola with grilled, barmarked nectarines pairs so well with the restaurant’s creamy ricotta, that’s also produced inhouse. Add a plate of grilled courgette, grains and feta to the menu, and you’ve got a wonderfully light, fresh spread. Yep, order right, and this can be the kind of nourishing but delicious meal that feels as if it could cure all ills.
The industrial-chic space invites in plenty of light, and with its open kitchen and communal tables, the dining experience at Bread In Common is as convivial as the name suggests.
Address: 43 Pakenham St, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Website: breadincommon.com.au
Monsterella Pizza, Wembley
Ideal for Perth’s best pizza…
Still on our bread thing, and next up we’re on our way to Wembley and to Monsterella, our favourite place to eat pizza in Perth. Here, the pizzas are proudly Neopolitan in style, with well-judged, restrained adornment and digestible, woodfired bases. That dough has been proving for 48 hours, by the way, leading to a light and puffy finish that blisters just right.
The La Regina is our go-to order here. Boasting a San Marzano tomato base, and topped with nduja, fior di latte, basil and fresh shavings of pecorino, it’s a salty, spicy joy. For those not in thrall to all things pizza (who are you?), Monsterella also does a small selection of pasta dishes. The meatballs are ace.
Address: 46 Grantham St, Wembley WA 6014, Australia
Website: monsterella.com.au
Balthazar, CBD
Ideal for low lit, languid lunches in Perth’s Central Business District…
An absolute icon of the Perth dining scene, Balthazar has been serving exquisite, ‘European-inspired dishes’ for over two decades in this part of town. Located at the base of an Art Deco apartment block and only accessible through an unmarked door (look for the word ‘Lawson’ above it), the restaurant exudes charm and elegance.
The menu brings with it a contemporary take on classic European cuisine, with the perfectly pink duck breast, grilled fennel and segments of orange a recent highlight. For a dish definitely not found on many menus on the continent, try the kangaroo steak, here elegantly paired with goat’s curd, macadamia nut and blueberries. Arriving blushing, it’s a sophisticated balancing act that manages to marry sweet, sour and salty with poise and precision.
The extensive wine list is a treasure trove for oenophiles, featuring both local and international selections. Balthazar’s intimate setting, low lit trattoria-vibes and impeccable service make it a timeless choice for fine dining in Perth, and is one of the city’s truly cherished dining spaces
Address: 6 The Esplanade, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Website: balthazar.com.au
The Shorehouse, Swanbourne
Ideal for fresh fish seasoned with a sea breeze…
From a space shrouded in a fair amount of darkness to one blessed with brilliant sunshine, it’s off to The Shorehouse we head next.
Perched on the coastline of Swanbourne Beach, The Shorehouse offers a dining experience with a view that is as memorable as its cuisine. The menu is a celebration of Western Australia’s coastal bounty, with a focus on fresh seafood and the vibrant, zesty flavours with which stuff from the ocean works so well.
The yellowfin tuna ceviche and the grilled octopus are standout dishes that showcase the kitchen’s ability to let the ingredients shine, whilst the pan fried market fish fillet with tomato vinaigrette is always a winner.
Indeed, there’s almost always a welcome spritz of citrus on the dishes here, seemingly in keeping with the restaurant’s bright and airy decor, its iconic yellow and white striped umbrellas making The Shorehouse the perfect spot for a leisurely brunch or a romantic sunset dinner.
Address: 278 Marine Parade, Swanbourne WA 6010, Australia
Website: shorehouse.com.au
Little Creatures Brewery, Fremantle
Ideal for beers, beers and more beers (oh, and some beer food)…
For an even more laid-back vibe, Little Creatures Brewery is a must-visit. This iconic Fremantle spot is not just a brewery but also a lively restaurant serving up a range of delicious, beer-friendly fare. The menu features everything from wood-fired pizzas to some seriously addictive french fries, all perfect for pairing with their house-brewed beers (the staff here are more than happy to offer their ideal pairings).
The waterfront location (once a crocodile farm, incidentally) and raucous atmosphere make it a real favourite for those looking to settle in for a leisurely afternoon-into-evening kind of feast.
Address: 40 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Website: littlecreatures.com.au
Shadow Wine Bar, Northbridge
Ideal for a well-judged marriage of Italian and Australian culinary sensibilities…
We end at Shadow Wine Bar, in the hip and happening Northbridge, which offers a modern Italian drinking and dining experience given a decidedly Australian twist.
It’s about the wine here, first and foremost, with a food menu designed to complement their extensive Italo-Australian wine selection rather than the other way round. Start with a plate of Coffin Bay oysters. Served with an intriguing burnt onion vinaigrette, they’re as expertly shucked and pleasingly plump, and pair perfectly with a glass of Clare Valley Riesling.
Move on to a plate of thick cut pappardelle with veal shin ragu and a bottle of something big and bold, perhaps the local Fervor Nuvo Movo Mourvedre, and luxuriate in just how exciting and diverse Perth’s food scene has become.
Address: 214 William St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Website: shadowwinebar.com.au
Not sufficiently satiated, we’re heading to the opposite side of the country now, and to the bars, vineyards and wineries of New South Wales. Care to join us? Of course you do…
